Jefferson County Braces for the Unknown: Will ICE Roll Into the Quimper Peninsula?
With tensions high all over the US, what can we expect from federal immigration enforcement, and how can we prepare to help our neighbors?
Latest
ICE Jurisdiction and Guardianship Cases Tackled in Superior Court
Superior court cases explore custody through two different lenses.
Jefferson County Plans New Solid Waste Transfer Station as Recycling System Changes Take Effect
Existing waste transfer station proves to be inadequate for current—let alone future—needs.
Ongoing at the Humane Society: Leadership Upheaval, Staff Exodus, and Mounting Allegations Rock Jefferson County Shelter
In the week since the Beacon first reported on the situation at the Humane Society, communication has revolved around the denial of allegations even as more people leave the organization.
My Funny Valentine: A Slightly Unhinged Comedic Burlesque & Variety Show
Multi-Award-Winning Burlesque Clown Tout D’Lou joins local performance troupe The Sky Dancers in an unforgettable Valentine’s show.
Court Congestion and Driving With Suspended Licenses
The Beacon is beginning our new Criminal Justice beat, where we will be breaking down aspects of the system along with reporting on the news.
City Council Approves Funding for Ferries and Furry Companions; Releases Statement on ICE
In a meeting full of community positives, the police statement acknowledging inability to prevent a potential ICE presence brought a change in temperature.
Could the History of EMTs Point to Solutions for Today’s Insurance Crisis?
Levy-funded programs like Medic One save lives while training the country’s top EMTs, all without exorbitant fees for users.
Humans and Birds “Collaborate” to Improve Forest Health on the Olympic Peninsula
New program uses bird song recording to manage Land Trust properties.
Feral Feelings: The Embers of Anger
Every month, psychotherapist, poet, and hedgewitch Amber Autumn Leaves Huntsman answers your conundrums. Do you have a problem that you think Feral Feelings could answer? Send them to feralfeelings@jeffcobeacon.com
Jefferson County Humane Society: Former Staff Allege Animal Neglect, Toxic Management and Retaliation
Former staff corroborate an environment that routinely puts animal safety as their second priority.
Op-ed: Women, Men, Girls and Boys
Have you checked out the manosphere lately? I was curious if there is link between the manosphere and the national political environment and so took a look. Spoiler alert: it is complicated, and troubling.
local news
Bond Measure Proposal Aims to Upgrade Long-Neglected Investments in High School and OCEAN
News by Scott France The Port Townsend School District (PTSD) is asking voters for financial assistance to renovate its physical facilities and create enhanced learning environments necessary for students to meet the challenges of entering adulthood in the 2030s. If the $99.25 million bond measure is approved by Port
local news
Dreamscapes, Murals, and Coffee as Art: A Port Townsend Creative Builds Worlds Big and Small
Art news by Carolyn Lewis For Port Townsend artist Tara Velan, creativity begins in the space between dreams and waking, between nature and memory, between performance and paint. Her work lives in those blurred spaces where the subconscious collides with the natural world. “My work is like a dreamscape,” Velan
local news
Telling Port Townsend’s Story—“If you can’t stop injustice, document it”
Art news by Diane Urbani de la Paz Ricardo Gómez faced a jam-packed Port Townsend Library reading room before his Thursday evening talk. Scores of people had come to hear about “Where Two Waters Meet,” his historical novel of Port Townsend—a story about a S’Klallam chief and a
local news
Finding and Counting the Homeless Among Us
News by Scott France The annual nationwide point-in-time count (PIT) of people experiencing homelessness will be conducted on January 29th. This year's survey takes on heightened importance and poignancy amidst a backdrop of widespread cancellation of federal data collection programs and reports and the removal of public datasets
Visual Art
Art and Life at Northwind: Affordable Creativity
[caption id align="alignnone" width="1200"] Teaching artist Erika Wurm is offering "Introduction to Mixed Media" this Saturday at Northwind Art School. The all-levels class is among 80 workshops and open studios at the Fort Worden campus. Photo courtesy of Er ika Wurm [https:
local news
Inclusionary Zoning in Port Townsend: A Contentious Path to Affordable Housing
News by Rachael Nutting Port Townsend is in the process of course correction regarding density and what that means for affordable housing. As longtime residents are priced out and the local workforce struggles to find affordable homes, city leaders and community members are searching for effective solutions. Inclusionary zoning (IZ)
local news
Rufina Garay Brings Joy (and food) to Role as Port Townsend's New Poet Laureate
News by Angela Downs Rufina Garay was inaugurated as the 2026 Poet Laureate on January 5. She is Port Townsend's second Poet Laureate and will serve in the civic position for two years. She considers herself “a homegrown poet,” studying locally at Imprint Bookstore workshops with teaching writers
local news
City Welcomes New Year With New Mayor, New Programs and Infrastructure Improvements
News by Angela Downs The first City Council meeting of the year was light and hopeful, with the inauguration of Rufina Garay as the new Poet Laureate, the swearing-in of new police officers and Kamal Sharif being promoted to Deputy Chief of Police. Fred Obee took an oath to serve
local news
The Rental Market has Been Taken Over by Short-Term Rentals. Is it Time They Helped Provide an Affordable Housing Solution?
News by Rachael Nutting The picture is postcard-perfect: a charming cottage, a sleek condo with a mountain view, a cozy bungalow, steps from the beach. For travelers, short-term rentals (STRs) rented by platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer an authentic, home-like experience. For property owners, they represent a lucrative revenue
local news
A Republican-Sponsored Bill Wants to Take Back $21 Billion Appropriated for Broadband Deployment
The money in question was designated as nondeployment funds, meaning all broadband needs other than core infrastructure. If passed, the bill could be a death blow to bridging the digital divide. News by Will Wright, The Daily Yonder A bill filed late last month would claw back $21 billion allocated
local news
These New Laws and Taxes Take Effect in Washington State on Jan. 1
[caption id align="alignnone" width="2500"] The Capitol Building in Olympia, Washington [https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/caption] News by Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard Tax hikes on big business and rental cars. Unemployment benefits for workers on strike. Those are just a few of the changes
local news
2025 Change Maker of the Year: Julia Cochrane
By Kathie Meyer When it comes to homelessness, Julia Cochrane has all of the “deets.” Her activism for this particular social problem started in her youth in New York City and continues to this day in her 70s here in Jefferson County. Chosen as one of the Jefferson County Beacon